MNMO Recommends

Published: August 20, 2009

Football Al Fresco

For 27 years, the Gophers schlepped over to the Metrodome to play football, like some recreational extension program—adjunct athletes. No more. Starting this month, the University of Minnesota welcomes the prodigal pigskinners back to campus, having constructed for them the gorgeous shrine that is TCF Bank Stadium. Here, they will play on real grass. They’ll get real stains on their jerseys. They’ll have real fanatics, shirtless in the stands, speaking in the tongues of true believers: “Ski-U-Mah!” This is real football. Season opens Sept. 12, 6 p.m., Minnesota vs. Air Force. Gophersports.com

Call Him…Puke

Before you got into comedy, you modeled Hanes underwear. How’d that go? I hadn’t been working out all that much, and I found myself standing at the end of a ramp facing a bunch of people holding clipboards and looking up at my crotch. Never again.

Puke & Snot seem to sometimes poke fun of die-hard RennFest fans. Anybody take offense? Back in the ’80s, we did the San Diego fest [with comics Penn & Teller] and the West Coast performers were just appalled. A woman in full period costume commented about our clothing being totally unsuitable. Penn said, “Possibly, madame. But if you look around, nobody gives a crap.”

You’re famous for eating some 66 pounds of carrots onstage in the course of a season. Are you getting a little yellowish? Tell you what, when I get out of the shower later, I’ll check and let you know.

Your father was once the mayor of Ellsworth. Ever thought about running for office yourself? No. I’ve got a spotty past and it would be discovered immediately. You discuss in your book the idea that prop comics are regarded as unsophisticated. Will you say something funny yet intellectual for the record? I’ll give you the classic line from Puke & Snot: He who shall, so shall he who.

—ALYSSA FORD

Ivey Love

Theater couples singled out at this year’s Ivey Awards

When the Ivey Awards are given out on September 21 at the State Theatre in Minneapolis, honoring the best of the past year’s local theatrical productions, there will be love in the air. And not just because actors are touchy-feely folks.

This year, the fourth annual event will focus on real-life couples working in the theater—like frequent Guthrie Theater actors Claudia Wilkins and Richard Ooms, who will emcee the presentation. Who else will be recognized? Ivey coordinators aren’t saying. But several couples come to mind: Jenny Lilledahl and John Sweeney, who run the Brave New Workshop; Jason Petersen and Jessica Lind, who run Yellow Tree Theatre; Jon Ferguson, the freelance director and actor, and Megan Odell, the dancer-actor with Live Action Set.

To learn more, you’ll have to pay attention to the gossip at the posh pre-party at the W Hotel, where—who knows?—next year’s couples may be in the making.

—REBECCA FELIX

Friend Me

The “friendliest” Minnesota icons on Facebook

BY SARA GLASSMAN

Minnesotans aren’t known as social butterflies. But social networkers—that’s another story. Both Minneapolis mayor R. T. Rybak and KARE-11 meteorologist Sven Sundgaard, for instance, have lobbied Facebook to increase the number of friends one can accumulate on the popular social-networking site after hitting the 5,000-friend ceiling. Here’s how some familiar faces are faring on Facebook.

Brock Lesnar, Ultimate Fighting Champion

Squish!

Getting down and dirty with fall grape stomps

Want wine? Those grapes aren’t going to stomp themselves. So here’s your chance to get in on the action, Minnesota, and put on a show. “It’s as much fun for the participants as it is for the crowds to watch them,” says Tami Bredeson, president of Carlos Creek Winery. Ready to hitch up your pants?